Things to do in Uruguay

A laid-back, politically stable counterpoint to its larger neighbors, wide Atlantic beaches, and an asado grilling culture treated with near-religious seriousness.

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What's worth your time in Uruguay

Attend a traditional asado grilling gathering

Food

Slow-cooked beef over wood coals, treated as a genuine social ritual rather than just a meal — join a local host or restaurant parrilla for the full experience.

Wander Montevideo's Ciudad Vieja old town

Culture

A compact colonial-era district with plazas, markets, and the Mercado del Puerto's famous grill restaurants under one historic iron roof.

Relax at Punta del Este's beaches

Nature

Uruguay's glamorous Atlantic resort town, with La Mano (the famous sculpted hand emerging from sand) as its most photographed landmark.

Explore the bohemian beach town of Cabo Polonio

Nature

A remote, car-free village reached only by 4x4 truck across dunes, with sea lion colonies and a genuinely off-grid atmosphere.